The Blockhouse

The Blockhouse in the South Harlem Section of Central Park

What is the oldest object in Central Park? That would be the Manhattan schist, metamorphic rock formed during the Paleozoic era, about half a billion years ago.

Okay, so what’s the oldest man-made object in Central Park? That would be Cleopatra’s Needle by the Metropolitan Museum, at about 3500 years old. Originally crafted around 1450-1475 B.C.E for Pharoah Thutmose III in Heliopois, Egypt, and brought to New York in 1881.

Alright then. What’s the oldest man-made object constructed in Central Park? That would be the Blockhouse, in the North Woods, looking out over Harlem at about 109th Street.

It was built during the 1812 War, by New Yorkers who feared a British attack from the North. The fort was constructed with materials brought by the volunteers, which is why there is red sandstone amongst the schist. It was completed on December 22, 1814, two days before the Treaty of Ghent was signed to end the war, so the Blockhouse never saw action. It was used as a store for ammunition for some time after this, and then, in the early 20th Century, as a site for the celebration of patriotic holidays. It has been abandoned since then, and the main entrance locked, although some years the Blockhouse is opened as part of New York’s Open House project.

Take a little trek and visit it on the next clear day.

ER/BR